President’s Report – Winter 2025

It’s exciting working with the committee for next year’s 2026 convention! Little Falls will be our destination at the end of July through August 1st. The community and area are welcoming us with open arms. We were there back in 2023. The Morrison County Fairgrounds will accommodate our growing association. Thank you, Ralph, for making the initial contact. This year the convention hosts will be shared, D2 and D6 will take the lead. Bert has resumed the duties of indoor vendor chair so all communications will run through him. We have so many individuals that step forward to help and want to say thank you. I also want to say thank you for the new people that will show up and show us their talents. Your help is needed, plus appreciated.

It’s exciting knowing that our membership of the MTA is growing. We are making some adjustments moving forward to work on accuracy and member follow-up. I do ask that all members be responsible. As I write this article we are sitting at 2062 current members. We still hold onto a “Lost Sheep” list which are members that are either overdue and not getting their newsletters or members that we just can’t locate. Membership Coordinator, Jo McElmury is doing a knockout job. Thank you, on behalf of the MTA, for your work. Anyone having any issues can give me a call or email Jo.

It’s exciting to see the process of leadership work. As most of you all know this year was an election year. A few faces have stepped down from director to co-director, a few names have gone from co-director to director, and still there are other names that are new to the leadership team. Watch your website page of directors and we will update the positions accordingly. Thank you all that have served and I welcome the new faces to the leadership team. We do have presently one vacant opening for a co-director for District 7. If this is something you are interested in, please give me a call and I will connect you to the proper people.

It’s exciting to work with a board that understands setting goals will produce results. A new goal theme for 2026 is “Stepping it Up”. This has been adopted at our last board meeting in October with a request going out to all members for input as VP article reads. While we should all continue working to improve the previous four years goals, let’s set out to dedicate 2026 as the year we all do more to benefit trapping and the MTA, NTA and FTA. Please review the goals in this newsletter. We will post them on Facebook and they will also be listed on the website. MTA thanks the board for adopting the new goals.

2026 Annual Goals are set!

• “Stepping-Up” in 2026

*Join the National Trappers Association

*Join the Fur Takers of America

*Encourage other trappers to join the MTA

*Attend your District’s Mtg

• Extra-within MTA-continued

*Purchase a 2026 calendar

*Become a sustaining donor

*Join the Trapper 99 Warrior Club

*Donate your time and resources to another meaningful cause

Anyone with questions or concerns, give me a call, thank you members.

Don’t forget that our 2026 fundraising calendar, available on the MTA website, will have its official unveiling at the Winter Meeting. 

Pass it ON, Brian